JANUARY 15-21, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT A FUTURE FOR BIG SUR BAKERY? 10 | P.G. OPENS FOR CANNABUSINESSES 11 | FOOD MEETS ART 34 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • NEW GROUPS ARE BRINGING FRESH IDEAS TO TRY TO SOLVE THE LONGSTANDING HOUSING SHORTAGE. P. 16 By Pam Marino
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 15-21, 2026 • ISSUE #1955 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Daniel Dreifuss (Mavic Air 2, 1/15 at F2.8) A view from above Highway 1 near Regent’s Slide in Big Sur on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. Caltrans was scheduled to reopen the area to through-traffic on Jan. 14 for the first time since the slide on Feb. 9, 2024. It’s the first time the road has been fully open in three years. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Developers and nonprofit organizations are creating new strategies to try to solve the region’s longstanding housing shortage. Cover photo: Shutterstock etc. Copyright © 2026 by Milestone Communications Inc. 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, California 93955 (telephone 831-394-5656). All rights reserved. Monterey County Weekly, the Best of Monterey County and the Best of Monterey Bay are registered trademarks. No person, without prior permission from the publisher, may take more than one copy of each issue. Additional copies and back issues may be purchased for $1, plus postage. Mailed subscriptions: $300 yearly, prepaid. The Weekly is an adjudicated newspaper of Monterey County, court decree M21137. The Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Visit our website at http://www.montereycountynow. com. Audited by CVC. FOUNDER & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@montereycountynow.com (x103) PUBLISHER Erik Cushman erik@montereycountynow.com (x125) EDITORIAL EDITOR Sara Rubin sara@montereycountynow.com (x120) ASSOCIATE EDITOR Erik Chalhoub ec@montereycountynow.com (x135) FEATURES EDITOR Dave Faries dfaries@montereycountynow.com (x110) SENIOR STAFF WRITER Pam Marino pam@montereycountynow.com (x106) STAFF WRITER Celia Jiménez celia@montereycountynow.com (x145) STAFF WRITER Agata Pope¸da aga@montereycountynow.com (x138) STAFF WRITER Katie Rodriguez (California Local News Fellow) katie@montereycountynow.com (x102) STAFF WRITER Aric Sleeper aric@montereycountynow.com (x127) STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel Dreifuss daniel@montereycountynow.com (x140) DIGITAL PRODUCER Sloan Campi sloan@montereycountynow.com (x105) CONTRIBUTORS Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Robert Daniels, Tonia Eaton, Jesse Herwitz, Luz Rimban, Jacqueline Weixel, Paul Wilner CARTOONS Rob Rogers, Tom Tomorrow PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION MANAGER Karen Loutzenheiser karen@montereycountynow.com (x108) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kevin Jewell kevinj@montereycountynow.com (x114) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Annie Cobb annie@montereycountynow.com (x114) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lani Headley lani@montereycountynow.com (x114) SALES SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Diane Glim diane@montereycountynow.com (x124) SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE George Kassal george@montereycountynow.com (x122) SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Keith Bruecker keith@montereycountynow.com (x118) CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Keely Richter keely@montereycountynow.com (x123) DIGITAL DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA Kevin Smith kevin@montereycountynow.com (x119) DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION AT Arts Co. atartsco@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION CONTROL Harry Neal BUSINESS/FRONT OFFICE OFFICE MANAGER Linda Maceira linda@montereycountynow.com (x101) BOOKKEEPING Rochelle Trawick 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 831-394-5656, (FAX) 831-394-2909 www.montereycountynow.com We’d love to hear from you. Send us your tips at tipline.montereycountynow.com. NEWS • ARTS • ENTERTAINMENT • FOOD • DRINK • CALENDAR Subscribe to the newsletter @ montereycountynow.com/subscribe READ MORE NOW ONLINE NEWSLETTER Go to montereycountynow.com LOCAL NEWS EVERYDAY AT MONTEREY COUNTY NOW
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 15-21, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 FREE COMMUNITY FLU CLINIC Sunday, January 25 1:00pm–4:00pm Northridge Mall Near food court next to Auntie Anne’s 796 Northridge Drive Salinas, CA 93906 Walk-ins Welcome | No Appointment Needed Aurora Robledo, MD | Family Medicine Flu vaccines provided by Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic For more information, contact our Health Promotion Department at 831-759-1890. We believe vaccinations save lives. SalinasValleyHealth.com/flu Questions about vaccines? Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider, or scan the QR code.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Journalist Seth Harp posted a publicly available biography on social media of a military officer he identified as someone who played a major role in the United States’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Days later, the House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena Harp, claiming that he leaked classified information and doxed the military commander. The vote was supported by both Republicans and Democrats. “The First Amendment does not give anyone a license to expose elite military personnel, compromise operations or assist our adversaries under the guise of reporting,” U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, said in a statement to The Washington Post. The vote also came with a subpoena for two co-executors of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, under an agreement between Democrats and Republicans on the committee. “The idea of a reporter ‘leaking classified intel’ is a contradiction in terms,” Harp told the Post. “The First Amendment and ironclad Supreme Court precedent permit journalists to publish classified documents. We don’t work for the government and it’s our job to expose secrets, not protect them for the convenience of high-ranking officials.” Good: For various reasons, those served by the Veterans Transition Center in Marina often have difficulty getting around, including to work and to important appointments. Since 2021, the Sea Otter Classic Foundation has made it a little easier for these veterans who may have a history of homelessness or incarceration. On Monday, Jan. 12, the foundation donated four new e-bikes to the VTC, sourced by Cycle House Bike Co. in Marina, bringing its total to 17 since it launched. The E-Bikes for Veterans program may be modest in scale for now, but foundation Executive Director Melanie Stackpole says Monday’s donation “represents a long-term commitment to sustained impact as we continue to grow our community support efforts.” GREAT: Three years after it closed to travelers due to a slide, Highway 1 in Big Sur was set to reopen to through-travelers on Wednesday, Jan. 14. The news comes ahead of Caltrans’ projected timeline to reopen the highway by March 2026. Two overlapping slides—Paul’s Slide on Jan. 14, 2023, and Regent’s Slide on Feb. 9, 2024—resulted in the longest closure in the region’s history. “The whole community has been designed around being able to travel north and south, so being able to restore that is going to give everyone the ability to take a deep breath and reunite,” says Kirk Gafill, president of the Big Sur Chamber of Commerce and owner of Nepenthe. “It’s a huge psychological relief. There’s nothing like reuniting a community after its been separated for three years.” GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s the number of attendees at a Jan. 9 people’s hearing to express opposition to the federal administration’s proposal to open up California’s waters to new offshore drilling leases. The public comment period ends Jan. 23, and more than 17,500 comments have so far been submitted to the Federal Register. Source: Ashley Blacow-Draeger, Oceana Pacific Policy and Communications Manager 270 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “This center represents the evolution of an idea that started with youth having a voice.” -Jeffrey Alvarez, a 2013 Gonzales youth commissioner, speaking about the Gonzales Teen Center that opened Saturday, Jan. 10 (see story, montereycountynow.com/newsletter).
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 15-21, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 831 A field of large parabolic antennas, followed by a constant piercing sound lingering in the background, is a classic combo in science fiction movies, especially when earthlings receive a message from outer space. On screen, it builds uneasiness and suspense for the viewer. But for amateur radio (or ham radio) operators, the radio waves around the Earth create connectivity. People use antennas and transceivers to communicate with each other without Wi-Fi or phones. Non-commercial radio not only connects people worldwide but it can be an important tool in emergencies, when other means of communication, such as phones and internet, go down. “Amateur radio has been around since radio was invented,” says Dusan Tatomirovic, Monterey Bay Amateur Radio Association’s president. “Since radio was invented, there have been individuals who would play with technology, and that’s what amateur radio is.” Local ham radio groups include MBARA in Marina and the Naval Postgraduate School ARC; many people have their own stations at home. To operate, all users need a license from the Federal Communications Commission. MBARA as a formal organization has been around for more than 25 years. In 1996, when the group was a club, the City of Marina recognized the opening of the Marina Amateur Radio Station, later MBARA, at a former Army radio station facility on Fort Ord for emergency communications. While both broadcast and ham radio use radio waves to communicate, there are several differences between them. Broadcast radio is primarily a one-way mass communication tool made for public consumption. Programs and radio stations set a slot for each program and are assigned a frequency. Ham radio, on the other hand, is primarily a two-way communication tool; all users share the same frequencies and move between them depending on the type of communication they are using or how far they want to reach. All radio operators have their own signal. In the 1920s, the Federal Radio Commission separated the assigned “K” signal for all stations west of the Mississippi River and “W” for the ones in the east. For example, the local NPR station is KAZU and Tatomirovic’s signal is KN6OBW. MBARA has more than 80 members around Monterey and Santa Cruz counties and beyond. They meet on the first Saturday of each month to share ideas, ask questions and plan events. (MBARA members also provide communications during the Life Time Sea Otter Classic and Big Sur Marathon.) The association focuses on high frequency and very high frequency radio; DXing, or listening to faraway radio and TV stations and making contact with them; and taking part in a contest with a goal to reach the largest amount of contact with other radio stations in a specific timeframe. Travis Edson has been part of MBARA for nine years. He goes to the facility in Marina to test and use equipment and get help if needed. “It’s a unique resource,” Edson says. “If you are interested in electronics, this is the place to be because you get a really great jumping-off point and there’s decades of collective knowledge.” Goals at MBARA include increasing interest in ham radio and STEM among young people and creating partnerships with local colleges and high schools, building a new generation. Liam Hostrop, 70, has been part of ham radio since he was 16. “It is a platform for long-time learning,” he says. Hostrop was a research and development technologist for Xerox Corporation and says “ham radio was something that prepared me for my technical career.” Operators must learn about electronics, physics and technology, in a space geared toward experimentation. Jeff Cooper’s interest in building a repeater led him to MBARA. Along with others, he recently set up a repeater in a small booth near MBARA’s building to receive and transmit radio signals. “Someone out at Pigeon Point, almost in Half Moon Bay, was using the repeater,” Cooper says. “It was pretty unexpected and kind of fun.” For those interested in acquiring a ham radio license, MBARA holds a free quarterly testing at 4:45-7:45pm Thursday, Jan. 22. To register, visit n6ij.org. On the Grid Ham radio operators meet over a shared hobby that becomes a lifeline during emergencies. By Celia Jiménez “It is a platform for long-time learning.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS From left: Linda Bittner, Liam Hostrop, Marc Goldman, Travis Edson and Dusan Tatomirovic are among the members of the Monterey Bay Amateur Radio Association who share an interest for technology and radio. FOR MORE INFO: 831-394-5656 sales@montereycountynow.com Photo: Evynn Levally Published by FREE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® Wedding GUIDE 2025-2026 cover_WG25.indd 1 2/27/25 3:03 PM Connect with eager couples and their families to make their Monterey County wedding even more memorable. HAPPILY EVER AFTER BEGINS IN MONTEREY COUNTY Best of Monterey Bay® Wedding Guide Coming March 2026
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS Two camps have emerged in the fight over renewable energy in the aftermath of the Vistra battery plant fire that began one year ago, on Jan. 16, 2025. One is eager to promote broader adoption of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to accelerate a meaningful shift away from petroleum. The other hesitates, pausing to question the safety, regulatory and operational protocols in place. “This has become somewhat of a political hot potato,” says County Supervisor Glenn Church, who represents District 2, which includes Moss Landing. He points to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal for California to be carbon-free by 2045: “There are those who are in favor of [battery energy storage systems] and want us to not dwell on this issue. Then there’s others who are in favor but realize there’s something wrong with these lithium batteries.” It was a Thursday at 3pm when Moss 300 at Vistra’s Moss Landing Power Plant went ablaze. The fire burned for several days, causing a local declaration of emergency by County of Monterey officials. Thousands of residents were evacuated until the fire smoldered. The only way to extinguish it safely was to let it burn out, as water could potentially reignite the batteries. The evacuation order was lifted a day later, after officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency deemed the air safe to breathe. One month later, on Feb. 18, Moss 300 flared up again for about 10 hours. Local officials advised residents to keep windows and doors closed to limit exposure. Vistra offered $750 gift cards per household to offset evacuation costs. The multi-agency response in the days and months following the fire left more questions than answers, even a year later. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. “All the people who live in the area, there’s a health risk, health concern. For most, they’ve had a lot of symptoms,” says Knut Johnson, an attorney with Singleton Schreiber, a firm representing roughly 1,000 individuals affected by the fire and evacuations. One plaintiff Johnson represents details ash covering boats in Moss Landing Harbor—where the plaintiff lives—showing elevated levels of heavy metals linked to the plant. Other plaintiffs reported respiratory distress, eye and throat irritation and headaches. There are multiple other cases alleging personal injury, emotional stress and property damage. Singleton Schreiber filed a petition for judicial coordination to have all these cases handled by a single judge. A Monterey and Santa Cruz County community health survey was made available online five weeks after the fire for 25 days, showing that 82.8 percent of 1,539 respondents experienced at least one symptom following the fire. Of those, 286 sought care for their symptoms. Many community members feel that official sampling does not align with reported symptoms, nor fully capture the fallout. A Facebook group called “Moss Landing Power Plant/ Vistra Fire Symptoms” emerged for residents to share experiences—they reported coughing, throat, eye, and skin irritation, nosebleeds. Residents in Prunedale voiced concern for farm animals, including one pregnant animal with multiple stillbirths. The community group Never Again Moss Landing formed, with volunteers collecting samples themselves and sending them to an independent laboratory for analysis. Residents also showed up to Monterey County Board of Supervisors meetings en masse, seeking insight into the testing and guidance on making their homes safe. “This is a public health disaster,” said Kim Solano, co-owner of the Haute Enchilada restaurant in Moss Landing, at an April 22, 2025 meeting. “Thousands of us are struggling to get answers and information about shared issues and concerns that are prohibitively expensive for us to obtain as individuals.” Several agencies were involved in monitoring the contamination, which produced a complex picture of the fire’s impact on human health and the environment. In January 2025, the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) conducted preliminary soil and surface water testing. The limited-scale study did not show elevated heavy metals warranting immediate health action. The EPA, alongside the Center for Toxicology & Environmental Health and Vistra, conducted continuous air monitoring, finding no hazardous conditions posing a risk to public health. Later, the County of Monterey with Terraphase Inc., a consultant hired on behalf of Vistra, initiated a more thorough, two-phase soil sampling study starting in May 2025. State partners, including DTSC and the Regional Water Quality Control Board, reviewed the report. Overall, these reports indicated that sample concentrations were protective of human and ecological health. “The health and safety of our community remains our top priority,” Vistra spokesperson Meranda Cohn says in an emailed statement. “We are pleased to report that air, water and soil testing by multiple agencies over many months have found no risks to public health or agriculture related to the fire.” However, marine geologist Ivano Aiello and a team from Moss Landing Marine Labs provided a different picture. Their research showed elevated heavy metal levels in soil across several areas of Hester Marsh in Elkhorn Slough, though these levels declined rapidly over three months due to rain and tidal inundation. In a Dec. 2 presentation at Moss Landing Marine Labs, Aiello explained that differences in testing methodology were the reason for the discrepancies, emphasizing that initial DTSC sampling was conducted in a way that likely diluted the contaminant concentrations. Today, as cleanup is underway at the battery plant, the health impacts of the fire remain unevenly understood, highlighting challenges poised by an emerging industry. “The investigation remains ongoing,” Cohn notes. “We’re committed to sharing our learnings with the community and industry peers and we will continue to provide updates.” Unlike chronic pollution events such as sewage or ammonia leaks, this battery fire was sudden and acute, requiring a different approach to monitoring and data collection, says Ric Encarnacion, the County’s Environmental Health Bureau Chief. “Moving forward [we need] to increase the capacity to conduct monitoring,” he says. “My hope is that there are more regulations for oversight for the prevention of these incidents at the local level.” Pictured above is the day the fire began, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. Flames were reported to have spread through the roof at 5:35pm, prompting evacuation orders. Renewable Rift One year later, the Moss Landing battery fire leaves more questions than answers. By Katie Rodriguez “Thousands of us are struggling to get answers.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 15-21, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 STAY NEW, STAY NOW AND SAVE UP TO 35% Experience the best of the Central Coast at Monterey County’s newest destinations— Courtyard Sand City Monterey and Residence Inn Sand City Monterey, now open! From modern rooms to spacious suites with full kitchens, both hotels offer vibrant amenities like fire pits, onsite dining, heated pools, electric bike rentals, and live entertainment at The Lido Stage. Celebrate our grand opening with an exclusive local offer available to California residents. Call (831) 855-4100 and ask for the “Discover Monterey” rate by March 31, 2026. TWO UNIQUE EXPERIENCES. ONE ADDRESS. *Offer valid for California residents only. A valid government-issued ID must be presented at check-in. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions apply. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservation.
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com A highly visible stretch of dunes west of Highway 1 between Marina and Seaside is getting a makeover, with two projects under construction simultaneously. That work is leading to delays and reroutes for both drivers and bicyclists. One project is California State Parks’ new campground at Fort Ord Dunes State Park at the northern end of the project site. The other is the five-mile SURF! busway developed by Monterey-Salinas Transit, parallel to Highway 1. Both projects are happening at the same time after facing different challenges, such as funding, permitting and redesign. “As a result, the Beach Range Road trail that we’ve been utilizing for biking and pedestrian access is not accessible for a period of about two years,” County Supervisor Wendy Root Askew says. She notes the alternative trail, east of the chain-link fence and nearer to Highway 1, doesn’t offer the same flexibility and it hasn’t been properly maintained. Much of the paved surface is bumpy, and some sections include overgrown vegetation. Root Askew’s team has received numerous calls about the reroute, especially from people who commute to CSU Monterey Bay and Marina using Beach Range Road, which has exits onto Divarty and 8th streets. Many are now using the parallel Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail. Other alternatives for bicyclists include General Jim Moore Boulevard (which does not have a dedicated bike lane) and routes through Fort Ord, but may increase commute times. In December, Root Askew, State Parks and MST organized a virtual meeting to share updates and hear from the community to seek solutions. About 70 people tuned in. “We’re about a quarter of the way through the project at this point,” said Dan Shaw, the Monterey District superintendent for California State Parks. The Fort Ord Dunes Campground will include 98 campsites, with new bike and pedestrian trails. It is anticipated to open in 2027. Construction on the SURF! busway began in September, removing train tracks to make way for a dedicated bus rapid transit lane connecting bus stations in Sand City and central Marina. Once both projects are completed, Beach Range Road will reopen and the trail system will be lengthened. “This project will extend the bike trail a mile,” MST CEO Carl Sedoryk says. “It’s a multi-modal project designed to benefit [all types of] transit.” The new owners of the Salty Seal on Cannery Row noticed something was amiss when they looked at the guest list for their soldout 2025 New Year’s Eve 21-and-up party. After being tipped off on social media by attendees, co-owner Jade Vucina communicated to co-owner Ian Karafa that several ticketholders were likely under 21 years old. Vucina cross-referenced the list with social media accounts and estimated between 20 and 30 ticket-holders were under the age limit. “I went through the whole guest list,” Vucina says. Karafa adds, “We saw individuals posting pictures of high school graduation in May 2025 and used that to our advantage.” Salty Seal bouncers were notified, and received a list of suspicious names in advance. Vucina and Karafa say fake IDs have gotten harder to detect, even with ID scanning equipment. So effective Jan. 1, they started implementing a new policy that will remain in effect indefinitely for patrons in the evening hours (after Salty Seal switches from an all-ages restaurant to a club). Those under 24 are required to be vetted by staff, meaning they must present two forms of identification—such as a birth certificate or passport to prove their age and identity. They are then added to a list and when they return, are required only to present one form of ID, such as a driver’s license when security checks IDs. Karafa and Vucina view the Monterey Police Department as allies. Karafa approached a Monterey police officer before the festivities began to share potential problems. The officer did not immediately take action since a crime had not yet been committed. One underage person who was denied entry called the police to say other underage patrons were attempting to enter. Vucina, Karafa and the officer were ahead of the game, and the caller was banned from the venue. Vucina also warned several other local bars about the issue via social media. “If it’s happening here then it’s happening elsewhere,” she says. Off Rail Two construction projects along Highway 1 in Marina lead to challenges for cyclists. By Celia Jiménez NEWS PUBLIC PERCEPTION Monterey City Council meets to discuss the results of a poll gauging the public’s interest in a tax measure to help close its $10 million budget deficit. Public comment is accepted. 4pm Tuesday, Jan. 20. Colton Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. (831) 6463799, monterey.gov. WORKING IT Monterey County Works hosts a job fair to connect local employers with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumés and dress to impress. 1-4pm Wednesday, Jan. 21. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Suites 205206, Salinas. Free. (831) 796-3335. Register at montereycountyworks.com. SCHOOL DAY South Monterey County Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees meets to discuss district business. Public comment is accepted. 5pm Wednesday, Jan. 21. Greenfield High School Library, 225 S. El Camino Real, Greenfield. Free. (831) 385-0606, smcjuhsd.org. IN CLASS North Monterey County Unified School District Board of Trustees meets and accepts public comment. 6pm Thursday, Jan. 22. North Monterey County High School media center, 13990 Castroville Blvd., Castroville. Free. (831) 633-3343, nmcusd.org. SPIRITED DISCUSSION Marina City Council meets to discuss regular city business. The agenda includes considering allowing a convenience store at 320 Reservation Road to sell alcohol. 6:30pm Thursday, Jan. 22. Marina City Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1278, cityofmarina.org. BUILDING A BUDGET The City of Salinas seeks public input on residents’ budget priorities. Share your feedback on what the city should focus on for 2026-2027. Survey ongoing at bit.ly/ SalinasBudget2026. Free. yesenia. nunez@salinas.gov. DEEP DIVE Monterey residents 16 years and older are invited to participate in the First City Academy. The program allows residents to learn about city programs and how the government operates. Academy runs Thursdays 6-8pm from March 4-May 14. Free. Apply at monterey.gov/firstcityacademy. (831) 6463760, suggest@monterey.gov. Fake Out After underage adults attempt to enter a New Year’s Eve party, Salty Seal implements new rules. By Sloan Campi MST and State Parks have worked together to add signage noting temporary alternative routes cyclists can use while construction is underway. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “The trail is not accessible for a period of about two years.” CELIA JIMÉNEZ
Thank You www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 15-21, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 MAJOR PARTNERS Monterey County Gives! is a special project of Monterey County Weekly in partnership with PRINT | WEB | MOBILE Numbers as of January 6, 2026. Check montereycountygives.com for latest amount. 2025— The best campaign ever 1gigantic… $16,982,405 raised 8,012 donors nonprofits supported 213
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com The legal battle that began in summer 2024 between the owner of Big Sur Bakery and the landlord of the property, after a blaze destroyed the business, may soon be resolved, according to court documents, with a mediation session slated for later this month. In the late afternoon of Friday, May 3, 2024, a fire was reported at Big Sur Bakery, owned and operated by Michael Gilson since the 2000s. Although firefighters responded to the call within minutes from their post behind the bakery, and were able to stop the blaze from spreading, they were unable to salvage the restaurant. The longtime Highway 1 gathering place was destroyed. Roughly a month after the incident, Gilson received notice from property owner Hillary Lipman that the lease for the building was terminated due to the fire. Soon after, Gilson filed a lawsuit in Monterey County Superior Court against Lipman and his son, Blaise Godbe Lipman, who operates Loma Vista Gardens on the property. The suit claimed that a fire or other act of destruction was not a cause for terminating the lease agreement. It also alleged that the property owner interfered with the bakery’s operations and violated Monterey County codes by operating an unpermitted mini-mart on the premises, among other complaints. In response, Lipman filed a cross-complaint in August 2024 against Gilson and John Harry, a former employee of the bakery. He alleged that Gilson breached the lease agreement by making unauthorized alterations to the premises without written consent—including the addition of gas lines and pizza ovens—and failing to provide proof of fire insurance, as well as failing to restore the premises to substantially the same condition as it was before the fire. The complaint also alleges that Gilson and Harry were negligent because the baker failed to detect the build-up of propane before igniting the oven, which ultimately resulted in the blaze. According to Lipman’s attorneys, the cost of the damages caused by the fire amounts to roughly $3.2 million. In June 2025, the two parties and their attorneys engaged to mediate and began working on a settlement agreement. After that, according to court documents, Lipman and Gilson began an informal discussion about potentially selling the property from Lipman to Gilson. However, because Lipman’s son operates a wedding destination business on the property, a new disagreement arose between the parties. Because of that dispute, attorneys have tentatively agreed on another round of mediation, set to occur between Jan. 21-23, where a “hoped-for resolution” can possibly be reached before a trial date scheduled for Feb 2. Gilson says he hopes the bakery is someday reestablished. “It is my hope, and the hope of many others, that Big Sur Bakery will return one day in the not too distant future to its home of nearly a quarter-century at Loma Vista,” he says. “Hopefully the goodwill associated with this settlement will help move the needle in that direction.” Hillary Lipman at the Loma Vista property he owns. Part of it was leased long-term to Big Sur Bakery before the popular establishment was destroyed by a fire. NEWS “It is my hope that Big Sur Bakery will return one day.” SARA RUBIN Cool Down Big Sur Bakery’s owner and landlord negotiate to settle a court dispute and consider a possible sale. By Aric Sleeper HOLIDAY DEALS ON YOUR DOG’S FAVORITE FOODS! $5 OFF Any purchase of $25 or more $10 OFF $20 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more Any purchase of $100 or more Expires 12-31-25. Cannot be combined with other discounts or offers. limit 1 coupon per customer. Not valid on hay, shavings, seresto, max bully, sportstrail, or roudybush. must present entire physical coupon at time of purchase. Coupon must come directly from the Monterey County Weekly. Reprints or photocopies not valid. Quality feed & pet supplies · DIY dog & cat vaccines · Premium hay at great prices BUY ONE, GET $5 OFF YOUR SECOND BAG! MIX AND MATCH FLAVORS! Quality feed & pet supplies • DIY dog & cat vaccines • Premium hay at great prices Low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick medication. Open every Saturday 12pm-3pm. 101 W. LAUREL DR, SALINAS • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-5pm $5 OFF Any purchase of $25 or more $20 OFF Any purchase of $100 or more $10 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more EXPIRES 12-31-25. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR OFFERS. LIMIT 1 COUPON PER CUSTOMER. NOT VALID ON HAY, SHAVINGS, SERESTO, MAX BULLY, SPORTSTRAIL, OR ROUDYBUSH. MUST PRESENT ENTIRE PHYSICAL COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. COUPON MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY. REPRINTS OR PHOTOCOPIES NOT VALID. $44.99 EACH • 40 LB BAGS DIAMOND NATURALS LAMB & RICE 40LB OR DIAMOND NATURALS CHICKEN & RICE 40LB AMAZING DISCOUNTS ON BIG VICTOR HI PRO BAGS! 40 LB – $10.00 OFF! 50 LB – $12.00 OFF! HOLIDAY DEALS ON YOUR DOG’S FAVORITE FOODS! NEW BACON FLAVOR SPORTMIX ESSENTIALS AT A GREAT DISCOUNTED PRICE! $29.99 40LB BAG BUY ONE, GET $5 OFF YOUR SECOND BAG! MIX AND MATCH FLAVORS! Quality feed & pet supplies • DIY dog & cat vaccines • Premium hay at great prices Low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick medication. Open every Saturday 12pm-3pm. 101 W. LAUREL DR, SALINAS • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sun 10am-5pm Any purchase of $25 or more Any purchase of $100 or more $10 OFF Any purchase of $50 or more EXPIRES 12-31-25. CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER DISCOUNTS OR OFFERS. LIMIT 1 COUPON PER CUSTOMER. NOT VALID ON HAY, SHAVINGS, SERESTO, MAX BULLY, SPORTSTRAIL, OR ROUDYBUSH. MUST PRESENT ENTIRE PHYSICAL COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. COUPON MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY. REPRINTS OR PHOTOCOPIES NOT VALID. $44.99 EACH • DIAMOND NATURALS LAMB & RICE 40LB OR DIAMOND NATURALS CHICKEN & RICE 40LB AMAZING DISCOUNTS ON BIG VICTOR HI PRO BAGS! 40 LB – $10.00 OFF! 50 LB – $12.00 OFF! HOLIDAY DEALS ON YOUR DOG’S FAVORITE FOODS! NEW BACON FLAVOR SPORTMIX ESSENTIALS AT A GREAT DISCOUNTED PRICE! 40LB BAG low cost vaccination clinic for dogs & cats. Microchipping. Prescription flea/tick mediction. Open every Saturday 12pm-3pm Buy One, Get $5 Off Your Second Bag! MIX AND MATCH FLAVORS! DIAMOND NATURALS LAMB & RICE 40LB DIAMOND NATURALS CHICKEN & RICE 40LB OR $44.99 EACH 40 LB BAGS $29.99 40 LB BAGS - 50 LB BAGS - $10 off! $12 off! NEW BACON FLAVOR SPORTMIX ESSENTIALS AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE! 40 LB BAG 101 W. Laurel Dr, Salinas • (831)443-6161 Mon-Sat • 9am-6pm • Sun 10am-5pm Domenico’s on the Wharf features Cioppino-a house specialty, Boat to Table Wild Alaskan Salmon, Oysters Rockefeller are a sample of the many great menu choices. Also enjoy Fine Wines and Cocktails, Desserts and Great Service. A local favorite celebrating 44 YEARS on Old Fisherman’s Wharf. 50 OLD FISHERMAN’S WHARF MONTEREY • 831-372-3655 www.domenicosmonterey.com Open Daily 11:30am to close Fresh Seafood, Italian Classics, Prime Steaks , with Beautiful Harbor Views. Voted Best Restaurant - Fisherman’s Wharf ’25 Make Your Holiday Weekend Reservations! World Affairs Council of the Monterey Bay Area January Event The Crisis in U.S. - Venezuela Relations: How Did We Get Here? Where Are We Headed? Friday, January 30th - Luncheon Lecture Dr. Jeff Dayton-Johnson Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Institute Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey The current conflict between the U.S. and Venezuela follows more than a decade of deteriorating economic and political conditions. What does the U.S. government want , and what are the future paths for Venezuela? www.wacmb.org or call (831) 643-1855 11:30am Registration • 12pm Luncheon • 12:45pm Presentation Reservations Required • Deadline is Friday, January 23 $55 for members • $65 for guests - WACMB will accept auditors to this event Marriott Monterey - The Ferrantes Room 350 Calle Principal, Downtown Monterey Visit our website www.wacmb.org for information and reservations
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 15-21, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 When Pacific Grove officials announced the 10 companies vying for a single retail cannabis license in October, it was unclear who was behind each of the limited liability corporations applying in hopes of gaining entry to a lottery that would choose the winning applicant. Eight of the companies were represented by a single agent, Sean Maddocks, and when he was asked the names of each of his clients, he declined to share them. It turns out the eight are likely only one. The attorney for a neighbor to the proposed store at 1157 Forest Ave., units B and C—located to the side of front-facing businesses of the building that include Pizza My Way, across the street from Trader Joe’s—sent a formal objection to the city on Jan. 9, alleging that representatives of the company, Off the Charts, or OTC, submitted all eight applications. OTC currently operates a store in Monterey and 30 other California locations. “In substance, this appears to be ‘permit stacking’,” said Amara L. Morrison, attorney with Fennemore LLP, an Arizona-based law firm. She defined permit stacking as one entity, or coordinated affiliates, submitting multiple applications to obtain multiple lottery entries, increasing the company’s odds of winning a license. Morrison, representing Munir Yonan Properties, which owns commercial property next door at 1169 Forest Ave., requested that the city take “immediate corrective action to protect the integrity of the process” before the lottery takes place. Cannabis retailer NUG has applied for a license at Munir Yonan’s property. The eight applications were essentially the same, Morrison contended, the only distinction being who was listed as owner. The owners of four of the LLCs that applied are all members of the Yousif family, which owns and operates OTC. OTC’s CEO/ founder, Norman Yousif, applied under the name OTC Pacific Grove LLC. Morrison claims three of the remaining four are current OTC employees, with the eighth application filed by Maddocks, OTC’s legal counsel. Anthony Davi Jr. owns 1157 Forest Ave. and says he was told by cannabis companies interested in his building that they were told they could file multiple applications for one location. “It makes a lot of sense,” Davi says, otherwise completing an application— the cost can be anywhere between $7,000 to $20,000—is akin to gambling. “It’s kind of like going to a casino. You’re going to see if they win or not,” he says. (Another cannabis retailer, Embarc, is approved to compete in the lottery using Davi’s location.) Davi’s spot is one of seven locations within the Forest Hill and Sunset District commercial zones approved by the city where cannabis sales are allowed, due to the city’s small size and 1,000-foot buffer zones around schools, daycares, parks and the P.G. Youth Center. Davi advertised the building and received dozens of calls from interested cannabis companies. P.G. City Manager Matt Mogensen says they are continuing the process for the moment and will announce a time for the lottery at a later date. Stacked Deck Eight of 10 companies vying for a single P.G. cannabis license are linked to one source. By Pam Marino Off the Charts opened Monterey’s first cannabis store on Jan. 25, 2025 on Lighthouse Avenue, near Pacific Grove. Company officials submitted multiple applications for a P.G. license lottery. NEWS “This appears to be ‘permit stacking.’” DANIEL DREIFUSS The Monterey Peninsula is a leader in water conservation. Thank you for your commitment to being water wise! Learn more at: montereywaterinfo.org/events JOIN US FOR FREE CONSERVATION WEBINARS Join us for free, interactive workshops in January, February and March, presented by Green Gardens Group via Zoom. Tuesday, January 20 Conventional Gardens on Minimal Water 6 p.m.–7 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 Outdoor Leaks Waste Money - Find and Fix ‘Em 6 p.m.–7 p.m. Tuesday, February 10 Bugs? Ugh! Manage Weeds and Pests in Your Garden 6 p.m.–7 p.m.
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 15-21, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com HOME HEALTH Please reconsider bringing a mental health campus to our area for our loved ones (“Supervisors nix plans for a county mental health facility over high costs,” Jan. 8-14). It could assist our family members in our county and provide medical support and health jobs to our area. Kim Whitney | Marina As someone whose loved one required care and had to be transported to San Francisco and Santa Rosa because there was nothing closer with available beds, this is very disappointing for Monterey County residents who need these services. And for those who don’t know, families have to pay for transport via ambulance to these facilities. It’s an awful situation. FeLecia Bunten | via social media WITH THE FLOW Thank you, Katie Rodriguez, for this wonderfully thorough article showcasing some of the highlights of Ms. Packard’s career as executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium (“As Julie Packard prepares to retire, a look at her legacy that shaped the Monterey Bay Aquarium and its global impact,” Jan. 8-14). We are indeed fortunate to have visionaries such as Packard who bring into focus the importance of our oceans in maintaining the health of our planet and ourselves. Derek Dean | Monterey ICE THAW I was one of the people at Window on the Bay standing in solidarity with protestors and immigrants who are being attacked by ICE agents (“Hundreds gather in Monterey to protest ICE shooting in Minneapolis; a protest in Salinas is planned,” posted Jan. 9). The videos show Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis woman, speaking in a friendly voice to ICE agents as she pulls away from them to leave before being brutally shot in the head. The attempts to spin this as an act of self-defense by Trump administration officials is outrageous. Do they really think we can’t watch a video for ourselves and see what really happened? Please contact your federal representatives in Congress to protest ICE cruelty and presence in our communities. An McDowell | Monterey Fake news. Mike James Martines | San Luis Obispo Salinas Valley is not indivisible, nor is California. We are very much a divided state. Jessica Anderson | via social media DRILL, BABY, DRILL As a resident of California for over 57 years, I approve of the proposal by the administration to drill (“People’s hearing in Monterey to oppose federal offshore drilling plan,” posted Jan. 7). We have put the nation in tremendous risk by depleting our reserves and oil supplies. Oil, to date, supplies the majority of our products in some form. The safety of drilling has improved tremendously. Bill Dalhamer | Pebble Beach WAIT AND SEE After reading your article regarding the Fort Ord Hostel, I believe that Councilmember Alex Miller is right: The City of Seaside is getting passed up by Marina on Fort Ord development and everyone both local and out of the area sees it. It doesn’t appear that the Hostel Society will ever be able to make this site a hostel, so waiting only hurts the city and its residents (“After 17 years, City of Seaside moves to terminate nonprofit hostel society’s lease,” Jan. 8-14). They need to stop delaying the inevitable. The city needs to wise up and start signing leases with developers that can make things happen, otherwise the Seaside you see today will be the same Seaside you see in 50 years. Ann Marie Pagan | Seaside FUTURE IS HERE What a great opportunity for our youth (“Gonzales opens its first community center, including a space for teens and a branch library,” Jan. 8-14). Many of them will see that as a ticket out of manual farm labor as the main employment option. I look forward to the completion of the remainder of the project, too. Walter Wagner | Salinas SING ALONG I love this so much. Thank you singing, angels (“Bedside singers offer comfort to those nearing death or in moments of healing,” Jan. 8-14). Lisa Deas | via social media This is wonderful! Jackie Scott | via social media BROOM BATTLE Thank you for highlighting Al Washburn’s outstanding work removing French broom in Monterey County (“A devoted retiree spends his days clearing an invasive shrub from the Del Monte Forest,” Jan. 1-7). He is truly one of my heroes! If others are interested in joining similar efforts, they can find monthly volunteer opportunities at sustainablemontereycounty.org/c4sm-french-broom-bash. For the past three years, dedicated volunteers have been removing broom to protect the biological integrity of Fort Ord National Monument and other native landscapes. Our twice‑monthly events draw people from diverse backgrounds, and we’re always glad when Al and Maisie can join us. Recognition of Al’s extraordinary contributions is greatly appreciated. John Mott | Marina SHARING IS CARING I am encouraged to read about Underground Forrest’s dedication to a shared space concept for their creatives (“Artisans in Monterey County are combining their shops to save on rent and fuel creative energy,” Jan. 8-14). I have often thought, and even proposed, this same idea for local nonprofits in Monterey County. Fingers crossed that someday that will evolve as well. Peter Hiller | Carmel POUR SOME SUGAR ON This New Orleanian approves of the amount of powdered sugar in that photograph! (“With several local options, there’s no need to go to New Orleans to treat oneself to a beignet,” Jan. 8-14.) Stephanie Ann Riggs | via social media LETTERS • COMMENTSOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@montereycountynow.com. Please keep your letter to 150 words or less; subject to editing for space. Please include your full name, contact information and city you live in.
www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 15-21, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 How many committees and subcommittees does it take to make peace in the world of Salinas Valley water politics? The staff members leading the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency are betting they have an answer: six subbasin committees, two technical advisory committees, two committees partnering with other groundwater sustainability agencies, one board of directors plus one newly formed advisory committee. That new advisory committee met for the first time on Thursday, Dec. 18, its 13 members seated in a horseshoe shape. Piret Harmon, the general manager of SVBGSA, gave them their marching orders: “You are thinking about what’s best for this agency and for the whole valley.” Almost immediately after her introductory remarks, the kumbaya moment was over. “If you think this committee is going to run over one of the subbasin committees, you’re crazy,” said Roger Moitoso, a vineyard manager and representative from the Upper Valley Aquifer Subbasin to the advisory committee. The idea that the people gathered around the table might reach consensus—they include representatives of the six subbasin committees—seemed almost instantly out of reach. But Harmon kept her message positive. Because, as she told the advisory committee, “A decision needs to be made 12 months from now. The clock is ticking.” Zooming out to that decision and that clock: The SVBGSA was formed in 2016, the local response to the state’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act that took effect in 2015. Now, approaching a decade into its existence and after sinking $20.3 million of grant funds into various studies, and with sustainability plans written up, it is onto the action phase—actually deciding which projects to implement in order to achieve sustainability goals by 2040, the state’s deadline. “Any major public works project takes years and years,” Harmon notes. “We are feeling the pressure.” This year is when the rubber meets the road in approving those projects. Hydrogeologist Derrik Williams of Montgomery and Associates, a consultant to the SVBGSA, explains the possibilities in the simplest terms. “We really only have two knobs to turn,” Williams says. “Either putting more water into the ground, or taking less out.” What those two knobs look like in practice and in cost is another matter, and that’s where the advisory committee comes in. (They next meet at 2pm on Thursday, Jan. 22.) This year, staff of the SVBGSA will dive into feasibility studies on a variety of projects that achieve one of those two knobs to varying degrees. They will attempt to quantify the projected benefit— and cost—of each project. Potential projects include major public works undertakings, like a series of wells to serve as an extraction barrier addressing seawater intrusion near the coast, plus a desalination component. One option is to utilize surface water from the Castroville and Eastside canals. Another possibility is aquifer storage and recovery, reinjecting water underground. Another potential component is “demand management,” code for reducing pumping. (That last item involves no new infrastructure, but its impact could be big in another way; agriculture consumes 90 percent of the area’s groundwater, compared to 10 percent for domestic use.) Whatever the combination of projects is, Harmon told the advisory committee, “It’s not going to be cheap. We have solutions, but they’re going to cost some money.” The advisory committee (and ultimately the board) are supposed to deliver a plan that can be funded and implemented and deliver real results. But who pays how much—and who benefits how much from which project—is already contentious. Nancy Isakson, representing a group of agricultural users called the Salinas Valley Water Coalition, told the committee: “Cost is a factor, but the cost of doing nothing will be greater, and I don’t think this community can afford to do nothing.” If they do nothing—or if they do something but it gets dragged down in court—the decision gets handed over to the state. That means decision-makers would be wise to think of Harmon’s advice and to think not just of themselves, but the whole. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Glass Half Full It will be a year of big aspirations for solving Salinas Valley water woes. By Sara Rubin DEAD AIR…There are awkward moments—Nikki Glaser on CBS delivering the Golden Globes monologue Sunday, Jan. 11, in which she calls CBS News the “best place to see B.S. news” comes to mind—and then there are unintentionally awkward moments like what took place during the Carmel City Council meeting on Monday, Jan. 12, as Mayor Dale Byrne announced his choice for mayor pro tem for 2026. (“Mayor pro tempore,” Latin for “temporary mayor,” or a fancy way to say vice mayor.) Byrne’s pick for 2025 was Councilmember Bob Delves, elected to council in November 2024, along with Byrne. He could have chosen Jeff Baron, the longest-serving councilmember since 2018 who came in second to Byrne in the mayoral race, but he went with Delves, who previously served on a council in Colorado. On Jan. 12, Byrne announced that he’s going with Delves again. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” Byrne quoted the old saying. “Any questions from the council?” Byrne asked. Silence. Then the mayor asked if someone would make a motion to appoint Delves, acknowledging a vote wasn’t necessary but “it would be nice.” The other three councilmembers—Baron, Alissandra Dramov, Hans Buder—looking uncomfortable, stayed silent. Finally, City Attorney Brian Pierik spoke up, telling Byrne, “It’s your appointment to make.” Byrne moved on. Talk about awkward—even Squid squirmed. LISTEN IN…Squid is a melophile, with a love of music—maybe because Squid was raised to the sound of the sea. Squid also has a soft spot for local political drama. So it is only a natural fit that Squid’s ears would perk up to listen to Salinas rapper Cal Paradox’s latest album, Politics As Usual, released on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The release date coincided with Salinas City Council voting 5-2 (predictably) to censure Councilmember Andrew Sandoval over his social media presence, which includes mocking fellow council members, and the way he operates during public meetings. The album cover shows a happy group photo of the councilmembers backing the censure—Aurelio Salazar Jr., Gloria De La Rosa, Margaret D’Arrigo, José Luis Barajas and Mayor Dennis Donohue. The songs highlight power dynamics on the council, including two factions (one song is titled “5v2”) and Cal Paradox makes his views known with “Sandoval for Salinas.” Several of the songs include snippets of comments made by members of the council. While Squid remains highly skeptical that the censure will change council dynamics, it has for sure motivated Sandoval’s sympathizers to advocate for him, and even helped shape a new record. To those like Squid who are fans of music and political drama, that combination is music to the ears. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “I don’t think this community can afford to do nothing.” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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